A second large earthquake of magnitude-6.9 has struck on Hawaii’s Big Island near a volcanic eruption that has forced residents to evacuate their rural homes.

Many people fled the threat of lava that spewed into the air in bursts of fire and pushed up steam from cracks in roadways on Friday, while others tried to get back to their homes.

Officials ordered more than 1,700 people out of neighbourhoods near Kilauea volcano’s newest lava flow, warning of the dangers of spattering hot rock and high levels of sulphuric gas that could threaten the elderly and people with breathing problems. Two homes have burned.

Adding to the chaos, a huge magnitude-6.9 earthquake struck near the south part of the volcano, following a smaller quake that rattled the same spot. Officials said the airport and roads were not damaged, but residents said they felt strong shaking and more stress as they dealt with the dual environmental phenomena.

Steam rises from cracks in the road in the Leilani Estates subdivision (US Geological Survey/AP)

Communities in the mostly rural Puna district, which sits on Kilauea’s eastern flank, know it is one of the world’s most active volcanoes and have seen its destruction before.

Julie Woolsey evacuated her home late on Thursday as a volcanic vent, or an opening in the Earth’s surface where lava emerges, sprouted up on her street in the Leilani Estates neighbourhood.